Lee 8th Grade Research Projects: Manifest Destiny/Westward Expansion

This book examines the period of America's greatest territorial growth as the country doubled in size expanding westward, carrying out our Manifest Destiny to expand across the continent. Using maps and easy-to-understand language, it discusses the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the annexation of Texas in 1845, the absorption of Oregon Country, and the acquisition of the New Mexico and California territories after the war with Mexico. Descriptions of American settlements and achievements, the nation's early democratic government, and the religious American lifestyle are used to elucidate Americans' true belief in Manifest Destiny.

Americans' belief that the country was destined to expand across the continent helped to create our greatest territorial growth, doubling the size of the young country. Using primary source documents and images, this is a lively account of our territorial expansion during the nineteenth century. Revealing the states that developed from these acquired territories, the book also provides significant information on the Mexican-American War, the effect on the Native American population, and the battle over allowing slavery in the new territories, which eventually led to the Civil War.

Discusses the concept of manifest destiny and examines the diplomatic deals and wars that brought new territories under American control and allowed the country to expand westward to the Pacific Ocean.